The Employee Benefits Answer Book: An Indispensable Guide for Managers and Business Owners

Introduction ix

Health Care Reform xiii

1 The Benefits Package: Why Should I Have a Plan? What Should It Include? 1

2 Paid Time Off: How Many Vacation Days Do I Have to Give? 17

3 Enrollment and Changes: How Do I Obtain Information and Communicate Value? 39

4 Medical Plan Basics: What’s the Difference Between a POS and an HSA? 55

5 Dental and Vision Plans: Are Checkups and Eye Exams Enough? 73

6 Choosing and Working With Brokers: How Do I Get the Most Out of the Broker Relationship? 83

7 Benefits That Save Payroll Taxes: What’s Involved in Flexible Spending Accounts, Transportation, and Tuition Assistance Plans? 95

8 Retirement Plans: What Do I Need to Know About Pensions, 401(k) Plans, and Nonqualified Plans? 111

9 Benefits That Provide Economic Security: Do Employees Expect Life Insurance and Disability? 137

10 Benefits Buffet: From EAP to Concierge Services What Else Do Employees Want and What Should You Provide? 147

11 When Employees Leave: How Does COBRA Work and What Else Do I Need to Do? 165

12 Cost Control: What Can Employers Do to Rein in Benefits Costs? 181

Resources 195

Resource Guide for Health Reform 203

Tools and Templates 205

The Author 229

Index 231